IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,217,482
Granted Patent B2
US 12,217,482 · App. 17/637,132 · Granted Feb 4, 2025

Processing apparatus, processing method, and computer readable medium

Inventors: Yoshimasa Ono (Tokyo, JP); Akira Tsuji (Tokyo, JP); Junichi Abe (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
G06V10/764G06V10/762
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,217,482
App. No.
17/637,132
Granted
Feb 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A processing apparatus ( 10 ) includes classification means ( 12 ) for classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure to be inspected, based on positional information at each point of the data; and cluster association means ( 13 ) for determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure to be inspected based on a positional relation between the classified clusters.

Claims (97)

1. A processing apparatus comprising:

at least one memory storing instructions, and

at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:

classify three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determine whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

generate a first projection cluster obtained by projecting the first cluster onto a predetermined first plane and a second projection cluster obtained by projecting the second cluster onto the first plane, the first plane being vertical to a line that connects the center of gravity of the first cluster to the center of gravity of the second cluster; and

take into account a result of a determination regarding whether the first projection cluster matches the second projection cluster in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

2. The processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:

extract, for each of all the clusters classified, a plurality of contour lines that are present;

compare, for a first cluster and a second cluster included in all the clusters, a first contour line group, which is a plurality of contour lines extracted from the first cluster, with a second contour line group, which is a plurality of contour lines extracted from the second cluster, and calculating the number of contour lines in the first contour line group that match contour lines in the second contour line group; and

take into account the number of contour lines that match each other in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

3. A processing apparatus comprising:

at least one memory storing instructions, and

at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to;

classify three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determine whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

generate a first projection cluster obtained by projecting the first cluster onto a predetermined first plane and a second projection cluster obtained by projecting the second cluster onto the first plane;

detect, for each of all the clusters classified, the longest direction in which the largest number of points are aligned, the first plane is-being vertical to the longest direction; and

take into account a result of a determination regarding whether the first projection cluster matches the second projection cluster in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

4. A processing apparatus comprising:

at least one memory storing instructions, and

at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to;

classify three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determine whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

detect, for each of all the clusters classified, the shortest direction in which the least number of points being aligned;

calculate one of the angles between the shortest direction detected by the first cluster and the shortest direction detected by the second cluster that is smaller than the other one;

calculate the difference between a first average distance, which is the average of distances between respective points included in the first cluster and a second plane, and a second average distance, which is the average of distances between respective points included in the second cluster and the second plane, the second plane being a plane vertical to the shortest direction detected by the first cluster; and

take into account the angle and the difference in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

5. A processing apparatus comprising:

at least one memory storing instructions, and

at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to;

classify three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determine whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters; and

determine whether there is a third cluster including points whose number is equal to or larger than a predetermined number in a position in front of a structure to be inspected between the first cluster and the second cluster with respect to a three-dimensional sensor that irradiates light on the structure to be inspected, and dissociate the first cluster with the second cluster when there is no third cluster, and associate the first cluster with the second cluster when there is the third cluster.

6. The processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:

complement a point group between the first cluster and the second cluster when it has been determined that the first cluster will be associated with the second cluster.

7. A processing apparatus comprising:

at least one memory storing instructions, and

at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to;

classify three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determine whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters,

generate a distance image from point group data and calculate the average of pixel values of pixels included in a region between the first cluster and the second cluster in the distance image that has been generated; and

dissociate the first cluster with the second cluster when the average is larger than a predetermined threshold and associate the first cluster with the second cluster when the average is below the predetermined threshold.

8. A processing method comprising:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

generating a first projection cluster obtained by projecting the first cluster onto a predetermined first plane and a second projection cluster obtained by projecting the second cluster onto the first plane, the first plane being vertical to a line that connects the center of gravity of the first cluster to the center of gravity of the second cluster; and

taking into account a result of a determination regarding whether the first projection cluster matches the second projection cluster in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

generating a first projection cluster obtained by projecting the first cluster onto a predetermined first plane and a second projection cluster obtained by projecting the second cluster onto the first plane, the first plane being vertical to a line that connects the center of gravity of the first cluster to the center of gravity of the second cluster; and

taking into account a result of a determination regarding whether the first projection cluster matches the second projection cluster in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

10. A processing method comprising:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

generating a first projection cluster obtained by projecting the first cluster onto a predetermined first plane and a second projection cluster obtained by projecting the second cluster onto the first plane;

detecting, for each of all the clusters classified, the longest direction in which the largest number of points are aligned, the first plane being vertical to the longest direction; and

taking into account a result of a determination regarding whether the first projection cluster matches the second projection cluster in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

11. A processing method comprising:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

detecting, for each of all the clusters classified, the shortest direction in which the least number of points being aligned;

calculating one of the angles between the shortest direction detected by the first cluster and the shortest direction detected by the second cluster that is smaller than the other one;

calculating the difference between a first average distance, which is the average of distances between respective points included in the first cluster and a second plane, and a second average distance, which is the average of distances between respective points included in the second cluster and the second plane, the second plane being a plane vertical to the shortest direction detected by the first cluster; and

taking into account the angle and the difference in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

12. A processing method comprising:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters; and

determining whether there is a third cluster including points whose number is equal to or larger than a predetermined number in a position in front of a structure to be inspected between the first cluster and the second cluster with respect to a three-dimensional sensor that irradiates light on the structure to be inspected, dissociating the first cluster with the second cluster when there is no third cluster, and associating the first cluster with the second cluster when there is the third cluster.

13. A processing method comprising:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

generating a distance image from point group data and calculating the average of pixel values of pixels included in a region between the first cluster and the second cluster in the distance image that has been generated; and

dissociating the first cluster with the second cluster when the average is larger than a predetermined threshold and associating the first cluster with the second cluster when the average is below the predetermined threshold.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to execute:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data; and

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

generating a first projection cluster obtained by projecting the first cluster onto a predetermined first plane and a second projection cluster obtained by projecting the second cluster onto the first plane;

detecting, for each of all the clusters classified, the longest direction in which the largest number of points are aligned, the first plane being vertical to the longest direction; and

taking into account a result of a determination regarding whether the first projection cluster matches the second projection cluster in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to execute:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data; and

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

detecting, for each of all the clusters classified, the shortest direction in which the least number of points being aligned;

calculating one of the angles between the shortest direction detected by the first cluster and the shortest direction detected by the second cluster that is smaller than the other one;

calculating the difference between a first average distance, which is the average of distances between respective points included in the first cluster and a second plane, and a second average distance, which is the average of distances between respective points included in the second cluster and the second plane, the second plane being a plane vertical to the shortest direction detected by the first cluster; and

taking into account the angle and the difference in the association between the first cluster and the second cluster.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to execute:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters; and

determining whether there is a third cluster including points whose number is equal to or larger than a predetermined number in a position in front of a structure to be inspected between the first cluster and the second cluster with respect to a three-dimensional sensor that irradiates light on the structure to be inspected, dissociating the first cluster with the second cluster when there is no third cluster, and associating the first cluster with the second cluster when there is the third cluster.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to execute:

classifying three-dimensional point group data acquired based on a reflected light from a structure to be inspected illuminated by light into clusters, which are units of a shape that corresponds to the structure, based on positional information at each point of the data;

determining whether a first cluster and a second cluster included in the classified clusters correspond to one structure based on a positional relation between the classified clusters;

generating a distance image from point group data and calculating the average of pixel values of pixels included in a region between the first cluster and the second cluster in the distance image that has been generated; and

dissociating the first cluster with the second cluster when the average is larger than a predetermined threshold and associating the first cluster with the second cluster when the average is below the predetermined threshold.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2022
From: ONO, YOSHIMASA; TSUJI, AKIRA; ABE, JUNICHI
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059072/0624 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220343628A1 · Oct 27, 2022
References Cited (21)
US 10593042B1 · Douillard · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20140368807A1 · Rogan · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20150063539A1 · Hayler et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160217344A1 · Misra et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20180059060A1 · Dusseault et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190311546A1 · Tay · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20200165107A1 · Kosaka et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200256999A1 · Yellepeddi · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20220326182A1 · Maruyama et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
JP 2010151577A · 2010 [cited by applicant]
JP 2017009546A · 2017 [cited by applicant]
JP 2018180571A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
JP 2019024151A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
JP 2019096119A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report for PCT Application No. PCT/JP2019/033770, mailed on Nov. 19, 2019. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report for PCT/JP2019/036988, mailed on Nov. 19, 2019. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/641,175, mailed on Jul. 19, 2024. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/641,175, mailed on Dec. 6, 2024. [cited by applicant]
Min Zhang, Minzhou Luo, Xiaobin Xu, Zhiying Tan, Hao Yang, Zhihao Li, “Planar Feature Extraction and Fitting Method Based on Density Clustering Algorithm”, 2018 5th IEEE International Conference on Cloud Computing and I… [cited by applicant]
Reza Maalek, Derek D Lichti, Janaka Y Ruwanpura, “Robust Segmentation of Planar and Linear Features of Terrestrial Laser Scanner Point Clouds Acquired from Construction Sites”, Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 18(3), 819, … [cited by applicant]
Wenting Zhang, Wenjie Qiu, Di Song, Bin Xie, “Automatic Tunnel Steel Arches Extraction Algorithm Based on 3D Lidar Point Cloud”, Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 19(18), 3972, pp. 1-24, Sep. 14, 2019 (Year: 2019). [cited by applicant]